You Won’t Believe What’s Hidden Behind the Science at The Eden Project

Botanical art exhibition at the Eden Project unveils the incredible detail science depends on

Visitors to the Eden Project are in for a rare treat this May as a two-day exhibition by the Eden Project Florilegium Society promises to reveal the stunning link between science and art.

Taking place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May 2025, the exhibition celebrates the Worldwide Day of Botanical Art (18th May) and will showcase the intricate and powerful discipline of botanical illustration – an art form that plays a vital role in scientific study.

More Than Just Pretty Pictures

This isn’t just an art show. The pieces on display are crucial scientific tools, revealing structures, textures, and plant diversity with a precision that photography can’t replicate. Each illustration offers a window into the natural world – capturing the very details that scientists rely on to document and understand plant life.

Alongside the artwork, physical dried plant specimens known as herbarium samples will also be featured. These records accompany every painting in the society’s growing archive and ensure a lasting scientific legacy.

Meet the Artists, Learn the Techniques

Over the two days, visitors will have the chance to meet the artists, explore their techniques, and find out how this meticulous and time-honoured practice continues to support research, conservation, and education. It’s a chance to get up close with the people behind the work and see exactly how they bring the Eden Project’s plant life to life on paper.

Peter Jones, the Eden Project’s Director of Horticulture, said:

“We are overjoyed to have the Eden Project Florilegium Society’s work on display this year. Not only does it showcase the incredible talent within this group of devoted volunteers, but in this exhibit their work will highlight the natural beauty of some of the precious plants you can see at the Eden Project and throughout Cornwall. These plants are key to our connection with the natural world.

We hope our visitors on May 17 and 18 enjoy this very rare and limited opportunity to explore the detail that our plant science depends on.”

📷Blechnum punctulatum

Cornwall’s Place on the Global Stage

This exclusive event is part of a worldwide celebration of botanical illustration taking place across more than 20 countries. In the UK, it sits alongside activities in Birmingham (13–24 May) and at Kew Gardens, further cementing the Eden Project Florilegium Society’s contribution to a global movement.

Founded in 2000, the society holds 151 botanical paintings in its archive – each paired with a digitised herbarium record. It’s more than an archive; it’s a living record of Cornwall’s and the UK’s botanical heritage.

This exhibition also acts as a prelude to a major showcase planned for the Eden Project’s 25th anniversary in 2026.

Plan Your Visit

Entry to the exhibition is included with standard admission to the Eden Project on the weekend of 17th and 18th May.

For more details and to book your visit, head to the Eden Project website.

To learn more about the worldwide event, visit the Association of Botanical Artists.

📷Hibiscus rosa sinensis